Alternate history: Microsoft never joins the console race

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firebush03 said:

KrspaceT said:

Well it turns into a Sony and Nintendo race where Nintendo keeps rare. Which is....an interesting debate. It could be some better off but still smoked Gamecube leading to a Wii with Rare games while Sony would probably have even less reason to be humble than in the PS3 launch. Which could have some implications.

...Unless this leads to a bolstered Dreamcast that somehow survived and ends up creating some 'Neptune' console with or without a ring of death.

I thought Nintendo sold their Rare stock, which would cause Rare to be in a situation where it needed to be acquired (keep in mind Nintendo rejected acquisition)?

Nintendo had 49% and Stamper brothers 51%. Microsoft bought the 51% share and Nintendo sold it's 49% share to MS afterwards. It could be that Microsoft offered Stampers more money than what Nintendo considered Rare being worth and didn't buy the stock even if they could have.